Van Gaal has been heavily linked with the Tottenham job - both before and since Tim Sherwood took over from Andre Villas-Boas - while in recent days he has been mooted as a possible replacement for David Moyes, should the Manchester United board decide to act on the Scot's poor start to life at Old Trafford.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, van Gaal said: "My ambition is to coach a top team in the Premier League. I have never experienced the atmosphere in England.

"I want to win the league title in a fourth country. That's my objective and I want to fulfil it."

He then joked: "Either that, or I will retire to Portugal with my wife."

Van Gaal added that he has no desire to return to Germany to manage.

"Of course, I like the Bundesliga a lot, but I have already won the German title. I now want to win a major trophy in another country."

The 62-year-old's second spell as manager of the Dutch national team ends after the World Cup. Van Gaal's side qualified comfortably for Brazil with nine wins and a draw in their qualifying campaign.